“This new speed limit has been needed for a long time and people living round here will be delighted that it has now been introduced.

“But I do think some of the signs are a little bit difficult to see because they are so close to the roundabout.

“I think it would be a good idea if the county council marked out some speed signs on the road as well – that would definitely slow drivers down.”

Primark sales assistant Pamela Bekele, 60, who lives in a flat in Jackson Road, Cutteslowe, said she could hear the noise of traffic in her bedroom. She added: “It’s background noise but this speed restriction should make things quieter so I’m absolutely delighted.

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Councillors welcomed the speed change. Liberal Democrat county councillor for Summertown and Wolvercote Jean Fooks said: “Very fast traffic is noisy and dangerous, and on the north side people slow
down to turn into Cutteslowe Park car park, and slowing down from 70mph with no warning is very hazardous.”

Rodney Rose, the county’s cabinet member for highways, said: “We are happy to put 50mph limits in place.

“Drivers will see that there are homes on the side of the bypass and shouldn’t object to slowing down.” The Cutteslowe section is the third part of the Oxford bypass to have a 50mph limit imposed.

A 50mph limit was imposed on the Eastern Bypass in March 2006 following a crash in which four people, including three 13-year-old boys, were killed.

Prior to that, residents in North Hinksey successfully lobbied to get a 50mph speed limit on the A34 section through Botley.